Bible Commentaries
Ezra 1

Verse 1

Cyrus. The son of Astyages and Esther. See App-57 , on the genealogy of the Persian kings. So named Neh 200 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28 ). The book of Esther precedes the book of Ezra-Nehemiah, and Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 7:4 precedes Ezr 1:1-14 . See note on Nehemiah 1:2 .Esther 3:8 ; Esther 10:3 , and App-57 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

mouth . Compare 2 Chronicles 36:21-23 .Jeremiah 29:10-14 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 2

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

God of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 . Appropriate in the mouth of Cyrus, and in contrast with all heathen inscriptions.

hath given me. The son of Astyages (the venerable king = Ahasuerus) and Esther. Trained by Mordecai and Nehemiah, he was brought up in the knowledge of God and His Word.

charged me to build. Compare Isaiah 44:24-28 ; Isaiah 45:1-6 , Isaiah 45:13 .

an house. This proclamation put first, as it is the great subject treated of by Ezra.

Verse 3

Who is there . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

build = rebuild.

Verse 4

whosoever [of the captive people] remameth in any place, &c. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis.

remaineth = is left.

the men of his place: i.e. his Persian neighbours.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true] God, App-4 .

Verse 5

the chief of the fathers: i.e. those named in the next chapter.

chief = heads.

judah and Benjamin. But the other tribes found representatives. Compare Ezra 2:59 , Ezra 2:70 , where the terms "of Israel" and "all Israel" are used. In 1 Chronicles 9:3 , Ephrairn and Manasseh are mentioned by name. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

Verse 6

their hands = them. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for themselves.

Verse 7

which Nebuchadnezzar had brought. Compare 2 Kings 24:13 ; Ezr 25:14 . 2 Chronicles 36:1 .Jeremiah 27:18-22 ; Jeremiah 28:6 ; Jeremiah 52:18 , Jeremiah 52:19 . Daniel 1:2 ; Daniel 5:2 .

Verse 8

Sheshbazzar = the Chaldean name of the prince of Judah. Not Zerubbabel, which means born at Babel. Probably = Nehemiah, for he was the son of Hachaliah and Zidkijah (Nehemiah 10:1 ), and therefore a "prince of. Judah".

Verse 9

chargers = basons or bowls. Hebrew. 'agartal. In Numbers Ke'arah, plate or dish. Eng. "charger", from French charger, to load. Hence used of both a dish and a horse.